50 Best Chinese Restaurants near La Jolla

“If you’re on the UCSD campus and craving real Chinese food, this place is honestly a gem. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is warm and lively, and the employees make you feel welcome. What really stood out to me is that the owner himself walks around, talks to customers, checks in, and makes sure everyone is having a good time. It feels very welcoming.

And I have to say this, the Oreo boba here is my personal favourite!“

“Best Chinese and Mai Tai's in San Diego or maybe the US“

“An excellent Szechwan Chinese restaurant that prepares authentic dishes with lots of vegetarian options. The portions were good size, freshly prepared with quality ingredients and delicious. The service was excellent and the options for Vegetarians were plenty. The prices were very reasonable and the location is excellent and easy to reach .“

“Our server Cam was awesome and food was great! Got to try it. Great dumplings!!!“

“Second time here and it didn’t disappoint. The original beef bone broth is rich, flavorful, and packed with authentic spicy kick. The fried skewers are crispy, fragrant, and perfectly done. Great quality, generous portions, and consistently delicious. Definitely one of my go-to spots for malatang.“

“delicious food! all of it“

“Dumplings are really good here. You can tell by the wrapper and the freshness of the filling. The Chive, Shrimp, Pork dumplings had chunks of shrimp instead of minced which adds to the texture. Cucumber salad is perfectly tangy and slightly spicy. The beef noodles also had tender meat and bouncy noodles. This is a no frills place with high quality food. The server communicated wait times and was respectful throughout our meal. As a New Yorker who eats a lot of dumplings in Flushing, highly recommend!“

“Great dining experience for hot pot.“

“The shrimp fried rice and green beans had good quality and quantity.

The ox throat appetizer was mid. Tasted lots of cumin but seemed to need some salt.

The cumin beef noodles was tasty, but I felt like it could've used more beef.

I would come back tho if craving authentic, quick and no frills Chinese food and flavors.“

“Absolutely gorgeous inside , definitely one of my new favorite spot now for skewers, been here twice and I’m glad I came , service is great, friendly and attentive, & most importantly food is bomb . Will come again , & again.
Xie Xie :)“

“Had a good dining experience at P.F. Chang's Mission Valley. The restaurant has a great ambience, and the service was impressively fast and attentive.

The food was overall decent. The flavors were good, although most dishes were on the milder side in terms of spice. We tried the fried rice with tofu, garlic noodles as a shareable side, and veggie spring rolls as an appetizer. The dishes were well prepared, but the portion sizes felt a little smaller compared to expectations.

One small disappointment was with the veggie spring rolls. The menu picture showed three rolls cut into six pieces, which made it appear easier to share. However, we received three whole spring rolls without them being cut in half. Splitting them would have made sharing more convenient, especially for a group.

The restaurant could also consider offering additional sauces on the side so guests can adjust flavors and spice levels according to their preferences.

The drinks were a highlight — the mocktails were really good, and the Cherry Blossom Martini was a great cocktail choice.

Overall, P.F. Chang's offers a pleasant dining atmosphere, quick service, and consistently decent food. With slightly larger portions, more customizable spice options, and better presentation for shareable appetizers, the experience could be even better.“

“It was my first time trying Hot Pot, the food was excellent. The experience was also great. Lots of options and everything was fresh.“

“I ordered takeout through an app and was treated very well by Wan when I picked it up. Even though it was close to closing time, she greeted me very nicely and offered me a seat while it was being finished. As for the food, the braised beef noodles were very good, and the spicy pork was okay. Will definitely go back, because the food was pretty good and the service was excellent.“

“Bomb food 🥘 clean dining area good service“

“The braised beef noodle is the queen!!! All other noodles are good too. The beef skewers were delicious, there’s cumin aroma in it, some people dont like cumin. You have to get the sweet tea in the bottle! Omg the jasmine aroma in it and not too sweet. The best noodle! They made it on the spot… Halal!! Wow… rare gem!!“

“Came to this restaurant with family for a late Chinese new year dinner this past Saturday evening. The menu is eclectic with what appears to be mostly northern China dishes. The food was very good, reasonably priced, and all in our party were happy. The restaurant is clean and the staff was attentive and friendly. A very pleasant experience.“

“This review is fir Shanghai saloon. Their cocktails are sone of the best in San Diego, including the most consistent old fashioned. I've had great old fashioned cocktails all over sd, but I'd return and it wasn't good. So it determined on who the bartender was. At Shanghai Saloon, every bartender names a rock solid old fashioned. My preference is with rye, so I order mine with Sazerac Rye. Their beer selection is vast and solid. Their prices for rare whiskey and tequila is really good compared to most sd bars. They do have sone very rare Japanese whiskeys and offer flights for certain whiskeys. Staff is always all smiles and super friendly. If you're craving a really good cocktail at a good price, I suggest you pay Shanghai Saloon a visit. Once you enter Dumpling Inn, head directly to the bar in the center of the restaurant, is open seating there.“

“I loved 🥰 best place more more“

“We don’t live locally, but we come to San Diego every once in a while. Because we really like the restaurant next door, Spicy City, so we usually head straight there. But one time, someone in our group said they wanted Cantonese food, so we decided to give Easter Dynasty a try. To our surprise, we completely fell in love with the flavors. The dishes are very distinctive, each one has its own character, and the prices are very reasonable. After that meal, we decided this would also become one of those places we come back to every once in a while.“

“The Best Ever Chinese Restaurant I Have Ever Been To. My Tita's Loved It So Mucho!!!! 5 star Rating“

“Excellent service . Very welcoming atmosphere. The food is just below average since it is not authentic Chinese and the presentations are not that good .
Good vegetarian options. Recommend it for a regular lunch, but , do not expect very authentic Asian food .“

“Came here last week with family of four on Friday. Dumplings were great, many varieties.very good soups and seaweed salad. Same quality and taste as Din Tai Fung but much better value and no lines and crowds (yet!)“

“Best sushi in San Diego at reasonable prices! Delicioso!!!“

“Fried chicken was delicious and fried noodles.“

“The food was delicious. The music and the vibe of the place was amazing. The staff was attentive and on point!“

“I love this Chin’s Restaurant is a beautifully situated establishment with a cordial and happy staff. The menu offers a comprehensive selection of Chinese cuisine, making it a neighborhood staple for many frequent patrons. Regarding a recent incident where a customer claimed to have found celery in their dish, I know for a fact that the restaurant does not serve celery; perhaps the patron mistook bok choy for celery.“

“Lunchtime specials are where it’s at! There is no place in Hillcrest with this portion, quality, and variety for under $10. You’ve gotta try the chicken teriyaki!“

“Fried garlic pork with steamed rice 😍“

“The best place in San Diego for tasty, authentic dim sum from push-carts!🥰😀“

“Spicy House is always on my must-visit list whenever I’m in San Diego, and it never disappoints! My favorites have always been their signature Hunan-style dishes mainly Mapo Tofu and Steamed Fish garnished with spicy sauce are absolutely outstanding. Every dish we ordered was incredibly flavorful and fresh. The spice levels were spot on for our taste buds—bold and authentic without being overwhelming. The consistency in taste and quality keeps me coming back every time I visit San Diego. Highly recommend Spicy House to anyone looking for delicious and authentic Chinese cuisine especially with the Hunan touch!“

“First time I came and very delicious food there .I was only one white person there ,all Asian there eat .They know where is good food !Very authentic Cantonese food .I enjoyed each bite .And service was excellent,good energy created better appetite!“

“Came here recently with a large group and was very impressed. All the food was delicious and came out very quickly. Excellent dim sum options and dinner dishes. Will come again when I visit again!“

“HIDDEN GEEEEEM!!! This place is inside a grocery store which is unusual find but, hear me out... one of the best places for Chinese food. They have combo meals, and also ala carte meals and it just doesn't look and feel authentic, but it literally takes you to China, or Hong Kong. One of the best pork chops ever and also the steamed vegetables are so tasty! I would definitely go here for a quick lunch grab or a good sit down meal.“

“With 10 eateries in this tiny strip mall on a main road, you have a lot of choices. Choose this place. Fast friendly service. Great food at reasonable prices. Large portions. Want it mild? No problem. Like it spicy 🔥 they do that too.“

“Best BBQ Pork and the Lomein is great. Been coming since they opened and never disappointed.“

“Chill, friendly, good food & reasonable price.“

“Good [Original] Good“

“Super authentic and so good. Highly recommended the farmers stir fry, eggplant mashed with century egg, and mapo tofu. We had gotten another tofu dish that I can’t remember the name of but they had tried adjusting/fixing it to our taste but we decided we maybe just didn’t like it. They happily replaced it for us with the mapo tofu which we ended up loving. The portions were generous. There were two of us and we ordered three dishes with tons left over. I think we could have ordered two dishes and still have had some left over. Will be back next time we are in San Diego!“

“05/08/2026
-Shrimp w/ Green Pepper in Black Bean Sauce ($24.95) — Tasty sauce and perfectly cooked shrimp, though the onion and green pepper weren't the freshest.
-Deep-Fried Crispy Intestines ($19.95) — crispy and full of flavor!
-Rice ($2.00)

Note: They offer complimentary hot tea, making them one of the few restaurants that still do.

I had a wonderful early Mother’s Day lunch here.

07-04-2025
-BBQ Pork and Roast Duck on Rice $16.95- crispy pork skin, yummy! Roast Duck, mostly were bones

-Beef Stew Wonton Soup $14.95- tender beef and tasty wonton. The soup broth however was not at the desired temperature. It should be hot and not warm

Note:
Cash only“

“I wish I had the time to try each and every dish…what devoured was absolutely amazingly delicious“

“The menu has a solid selection of meats and seafood. The highlights for us were the 5-Spiced Marinated Lamb, Marinated Pork-Belly, the Sweet Spicy Cajun Chicken, and the Cumin Squid—all packed with flavor and cooked beautifully over the charcoal, which provided a unique, smoky-char flavor. The sides/appetizers (Rice Paper, Beef Soup, Steamed Egg, House Salad) were similar to what you’ll find at most Korean BBQ places, but the Boiled Whole Peanuts were a pleasant surprise. They were perfectly boiled and had a great texture. As for the sauces, I highly recommend their House Garlic Sauce, Sea Salt Sesame Oil, and House-Spicy Powder, which pair well with their vast meat menu.
One thing to keep in mind is that the restaurant is pretty small, so it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to arrive as early as possible since it can get crowded very quickly. My group ended up waiting about 1.5 hours for a table. Despite the wait, the food was excellent, and the staff was very accommodating, attentive, and professional throughout the experience.
Overall, this spot is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for something a little different from the typical KBBQ experience.
P.S. This might become a new “Fire Spot” for the homies to hang out 🔥“

“Imperial Express is an absolute gem in San Diego! From the moment I ordered, I was impressed by the incredible portions and the care put into every dish. The servings are generously oversized, making it a place where you truly get great value and leave feeling completely satisfied. The orange chicken was the star of the meal, it was absolutely delicious! The chicken had the perfect crunchy texture on the outside while staying tender and flavorful inside. The sauce was perfectly balanced, with that amazing combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors that makes orange chicken so irresistible. Every bite was packed with flavor, and it was clear that this dish was made with attention to detail. Beyond the amazing food, the experience was made even better by the friendly service and welcoming atmosphere. It’s rare to find a place that delivers both incredible taste and generous portions. If you’re craving Chinese food in San Diego, Imperial Express is definitely worth a stop. Come hungry, because the portions are huge and make sure you try the orange chicken. You won’t be disappointed!“

“The best chinese food in San Diego...“

“It’s been ages since I last visited this restaurant! A friend raved about their Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs (Guobaorou), so I came back with some friends. The portion of Guobaorou is generous, and it’s truly delicious—crispy and flavorful. We also ordered Jellyfish with Vinegar Dressing. The jellyfish here is quite thick and chunky, not the smooth, silky kind I’m used to, so I wouldn’t recommend it.

Then there’s the Braised Local Chicken in Iron Pot. The picture looked super tempting, so I specifically asked if it came with the steamed rolls (huajuan) shown in the photo. The waiter told me they only have steamed buns (mantou) instead. When it arrived, turns out they’re machine-made frozen buns bought from the supermarket. This dish is a letdown, so I don’t suggest it either.

On the bright side, the Sizzling Pork Kidneys were pretty good! We also wanted to order Peking Duck, but it requires advance reservation—make sure to call ahead if you want to try it.“

“A friend recommended this restaurant so tried it over the weekend. They have an English menu and an all Chinese menu. We ordered from both. We ordered the beef noodle soup (5 stars), a tofu fish dish (5 stars), and spicy wonton (3 stars). Everything was really flavorful. We’ll be back.“

“I love this place! I was having a real hard time finding decent Chinese food here in SD until I discovered City Dragon. OMG! So good! And they are so nice every time I call for delivery which is free! The food is so delicious and so fresh tasting!“

“Great service and amazing food!! Called ahead and came in with a group of 10 and they had our table ready with plates and waters. Every single dish we got was so delicious! Staff is very knowledgeable and careful about gluten allergy as well! They have a lot of gluten free options and it’s so good!!! 10/10 would come again!“

“I came across this place while in town! Probably the best decision while visiting!. Food was great everything was fresh and hot! The lady helping me was really nice went above and beyond!. Communication was really good regarding the ready time on my order!. I’d definitely come back“

“What a bargain for lunch! I was in the mood for lo mein and came upon this restaurant in my search in the area.
I didn't know how much their lunch special were until I sat down and looked at their menu. Wow! You cannot beat $11 for lunch these days and the food was served on a huge platter! I almost laughed when the waitress brought it out to the table.

This is a small restaurant with a few small patio tables in front. It was a weekday and it wasn't busy. The cashier/waitress was really friendly and nice. She had a ready smile for everyone who came in.

I wanted shrimp lo mein for lunch but only chicken or pork lo mein were on the lunch menu. I paid $2 more for shrimp and there were a lot in my dish. It was really good.
The side salad was plain and just mainly iceberg lettuce but the egg roll was good.“

“Good fun but a $10 cover charge“